Restoring that which the Locust has Devoured

Locusts are used throughout the old and new testament to epitomize evil and destructive forces. Enemy armies that enslave God’s people are often described as hoards of locusts.   Locusts devour and destroy acres of crops, leaving the land devastated and the people impoverished.  We, too, deal with destructive forces in our lives that can leave us feeling spiritually impoverished.

We all have times when we reflect on our lives and consider that time, maybe years, have been lost living out false notions, bad habits, or wrong beliefs. We may feel, "If only I had known then what I know now." Wittingly or not, we live in a spiritual battlefield. Sometimes, we live victoriously; sometimes we succumb. However, Christ tells us that the Lord restores whatever the locusts have devoured. (Joel 2:25) We are promised that, we will be abundantly nurtured and satisfied and will praise the name of the Lord for what He had so wonderfully done. (Joel 2:26)  What does the restoration look like and how do we enter into it? Come learn about the wondrous restoration and freedom in store for us!

Watchfulness

Every one of us has the God given power and freedom to connect to our Creator and to refuse those thoughts that are damaging that connection. The quality of our lives depends on the quality of the thoughts we nurture in our minds and hearts. How do we remove pesky logosmoi (strong and persistent thoughts that do not originate with us) and nurture the mindset that unites us with God’s will?

Come learn more about the ancient Orthodox practice, which the Fathers call the forerunner of spiritual knowledge. In the context of the ancient Church writings, "watchfulness means wakefulness, or fine and vigilant guarding of the heart and mind, attentiveness, or guarding the intellect."

The soul is fit when it knows a lot about itself (that is, what God made it to be and how to work with God), say the Holy Fathers. When is readily sees and accepts reality... "When is it is able to prevail against whatever psychological and spiritual obstacles it may face... When it can protect itself from spiritual harm... When it is using its free will for its own greatest benefit.

During this one day retreat, we will explore Watchfullness on several different levels and try out some warm-up techniques that may help your practice.

Icons and Beyond

Icons have been a tool for the spiritual seeker since the first century of the Christian Church. Icons, like most religious art, can inspire us and remind us of biblical truths. How is an icon different from other religious art, such as a Rembrandt painting? Why are icons regarded as windows into the spiritual world? Can sacred art support us in our spiritual journey, in our encounter with the Divine? Can anything, merely material, do this, and how?  This lecture explores the role of icons in our spiritual path: as the bible in pictures, as theology in symbols, as theophanic sacred art. 

The Orthodox Path: Tools for the Journey

To be a Christian is to be a traveler. The Church provides us with signposts, encouragement, nourishment, tools and coaches for our journey.  The Church provides, not so much a system, but a means to salvation.  Ultimately, it is our decision to travel with courage and perseverance, or with fear and laxness. This talk explores the tools the Church provides us and their application in our lives.

Holy Thursday: The Secret of Service

The readings for Holy Thursday focus on the last discourses and examples that Christ gave us as He approached His ultimate sacrifice. This talk emphasizes Christ’s teaching in His action of the washing of the feet of His disciples. It challenges each of us to incorporate this example in our everyday lives, and helps us develop ways to do so.